I'm Coming Off Of Social Security After 25 Years And I'm Scared

Summary of I'm Coming Off Of Social Security After 25 Years And I'm Scared

by Ramsey Network

9m•December 6, 2025
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Overview of "I'm Coming Off Of Social Security After 25 Years And I'm Scared"

This episode is a caller coaching segment from Ramsey Network. A man named Dan (on Social Security Disability Insurance since 2000) calls in worried about losing SSDI as he tries to increase his earnings. He currently works part‑time as a grocery store courtesy clerk, has psychiatric disabilities from childhood trauma, is 28 years sober, recently completed EMDR therapy and earned a Google Data Analytics certificate. Hosts respond with practical, emotional and career guidance focused on gradual income growth, budgeting, mental‑health support, and practical next steps to transition off benefits.

Key points and main takeaways

  • Caller profile

    • Dan: on SSDI since 2000, psychiatric disability, 28 years sober, in trauma recovery (EMDR since March).
    • Current income: about $1,400/month from SSDI + ~$100/week from part‑time grocery store work. Last year’s taxable income ~ $21K.
    • Current monthly expenses: about $1,800.
    • Upskilling: completed a Google Data Analytics certificate and wants to move into tech.

  • Hosts' guidance and tone

    • Encouraging, supportive, and practical — emphasizing small wins and emotional reinforcement as well as financial steps.
    • Stress on baby steps: get more reliable income and wins before a full career pivot.
    • Recommendation to get a therapist’s input about capacity for full‑time work.

  • Immediate financial strategy

    • Prioritize increasing monthly income (examples mentioned: full‑time at a larger retailer like Target/Walmart or a role in tech/data).
    • Use a written budget (EveryDollar app recommended) — list income and expenses, plan for surplus saving.
    • Hosts estimate that $3,000–$4,000 monthly income would create meaningful surplus when expenses stay around $1,800.

  • Emotional and career advice

    • Leverage strengths demonstrated in the grocery role (reliability, service, positivity) when applying for larger retail roles.
    • Continue building tech skills and networking (host offered his book, The Proximity Principle, to help make connections).
    • Celebrate and build on psychological/mental wins, not only financial wins.

Topics discussed

  • Social Security Disability (SSDI) and fear of losing benefits when trying to earn more.
  • Transitioning from long‑term benefits to earned income.
  • Practical employment options: larger retail employers for full‑time/hours and tech/data analytics roles for higher pay.
  • Mental health, trauma recovery, and workplace functioning (EMDR therapy impact).
  • Budgeting tools and behavior (EveryDollar app, listing income and expenses).
  • Importance of community, encouragement, and small, sustainable steps.

Notable quotes and lines

  • Host to Dan: "You're worth more than $100 a week."
  • Host on caller’s attitude: "I wish I could reach through the phone and give you a hug... I think you're stronger than you think you are."
  • On emotion: "Those tears are not a sign of weakness."
  • Practical push: "The way out of this is income — and the good news is if you make so much working that you lose SSDI, good — that's exactly what you wanted."

Action items & recommendations (concise checklist)

  • Short term (next 30–90 days)

    • Talk with your therapist about readiness for more hours / full‑time work.
    • Apply for more stable full‑time positions at larger retailers (Target, Walmart, big‑box stores) that may offer benefits.
    • Continue applying to entry‑level data analytics roles and freelance/contract gigs that match your certificate.
    • Start a written budget now (EveryDollar or other tool): list every income stream and every monthly expense. Track where money goes.

  • Medium term (3–12 months)

    • Aim to grow monthly income toward $3,000–$4,000 and track the surplus relative to your current $1,800 expenses.
    • Build an emergency fund (1–3 months of expenses initially).
    • Network intentionally: use proximity and relationships (host gifted The Proximity Principle as a resource).
    • Consult Social Security or a benefits counselor to understand work‑incentive programs and the timing/impact of losing SSDI.

  • Longer term

    • If tech/data roles are feasible, target higher‑paying positions (these may take time to secure — keep retail/jobs that provide stability until transition).
    • Convert surplus into savings, investments, and long‑term financial security so losing SSDI is sustainable.

Why this matters

This segment balances empathy with concrete financial planning: addressing trauma and mental health is integral to stable employment, but incremental income increases plus disciplined budgeting are the practical route off long‑term dependency on disability benefits. The hosts emphasize dignity, capability, and small wins as crucial to a sustainable transition.

Resources mentioned

  • EveryDollar budgeting app (sponsor and recommended tool)
  • Google Data Analytics certificate (caller’s credential)
  • The Proximity Principle (host’s book offered to help with connections)

If you’re in a similar situation, the core steps are: get clinical advice about work readiness, grow reliable income through reachable job moves, budget every dollar, and use networking and upskilling to move toward higher‑paying roles.